The ancient Chinese had very imaginative minds, so much so that many of their spiritual beliefs were regarded by foreigners as mere superstitions. In particular, the rural folks worshipped many local deities who they felt had influence over their daily lives. They believed that certain peculiarly-shaped rocks and boulders or very old trees, as well as fields, streams and roads, possessed special spirits. These supposedly superstitious beliefs have been handed down from generation to generation until the present time when simple villagers and the less-educated people continue such worship. They are frowned upon by those who have received a modern education and have become more acquainted with the teachings of Lord Buddha. These spirits were generally not vicious, but those who worshiped them did so for fear that they might become nasty if not accorded sufficient respect. Besides, the villagers believed that these spirits were generally helpful in keeping away evil ghosts from their villages. In times of misfortunes and trouble, or even sickness, these spirits were consulted for help.
Even before the advent of Mahayana Buddhism to China, there was already in existence a large conglomeration of gods worshipped by the people. Many of these gods were heroes or persons who had distinguished themselves by rendering meritorious services to the country, or those who had helped to save the country from external aggression, or had helped to avert sufferings due to natural calamities. They were deified after the^ death, and it is possible that some of these gods became enveloped in myths, e.g., the mythological Monkey God of the famous 'Journey to the West', to whom the Chinese still pray with great respect and solicit favours in times of sickness and misfortunes. Other gods or deities are patron saints of various professions, e.g., God of Medicine and the Patron Saint of the fishmongers. They are also held in high respect and occasionally ceremonies are held by trade associations to make offerings to them as a thanksgiving for successes in business or profession and requests for continuing good fortune in the future.
Worship of Heaven (Tien):
Rilo the Chinese, Heaven or (Tien) was originally regarded as the abode of the gods. Later, however, it became personified as God of Heaven and came to be worshipped by the emperor, who was regarded as "Son of Heaven* and by the common people as well! The emperor in the past officially performed this worship at the Temple of Heaven in Peking, especially at the time of the New Year. The ordinary people performed the worship at the temples or at the family altar in the house by lighting some incense-sticks and holding them up to the sky in prayer, often accompanied by the invoking of help for good health and prosperity. Shang Ti, the Supreme Ruler on High was was worshipped only by the emperor and his family as their ancestor, while the ordinary people had their own ancestors to worship. And, by virtue of the foot that the people had to worship their emperor as the Tattler' of the nation, in this way and in this sense, they could also worship Shang Ti. It must be emphasized that Shang Ti and Tien are not considered 'gods' in the sense that it is used in Christianity, because they do not appear in the Chinese pantheon of gods. However, in some Taoist temples, the shrine of Yu Huang Shang Ti (The Jade Emperor) could be seen in a prominent position, and the devotees prayed to him for blessings. There were three periods in Chinese history when gods were created in unusually large numbers: that of the mythical emperor Hsien Yuan (25th. century B.C.), that of the Shang Dynasty (12th. century B.C.), and that of the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (14th. century AJ).).
Tang Tein Beng
More in the Buddhism Beliefs Series:
- Beliefs - Nature and Ancestor Worship
- Beliefs - Worship of Gods, Spirits and Heaven
- Beliefs - Confucianism and Buddhism
- Beliefs - Taoism and Buddhism
- Beliefs - History of Buddhism
- Beliefs - Confuianism, Taoism and Buddhism
